Living

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

When he completed his registration card for World War I, John S. Bien was shown as age 24, being born December 8, 1892 in Pigeon, Huron County, Michigan. His occupation was shown as teaching, but he was not employed at the time of the registration, and was a resident of Cass City. He was single, tall, medium build, with brown eyes and black hair, and it was noted that he had a "poor knee." He signed the application as John Stanley Bien.

According to the 1920 census enumeration, J. Stanley Bien was Principal of the School for the Blind in Lansing, Michigan. He was living at the school, listed as age 27, born in Michigan, with his father born in Canada(English) and his mother born in Michigan. His occupation was listed as both Principal/Teacher. Stanley was shown as married to Ruth, age 26, who was born in England to English parents. At the time of that census, they had a one year old daughter, Ruth Jane, born in Michigan.

On January 7, 1949, it was front page headline news in Cass City that "J. Stanley Bien Is New Purchasing Director for State: Former Cass City Young Many Has Responsible Position at Lansing." The article noted that Bien has graduated from Cass City High School in 1911, and served as acting director of the purchasing department since the resignation in the last summer of Eugene Cumpp. He was to be in the highest classification of civil servants, with a starting salary of $9,180 annual. He was born Dec. 8, 1892, on a farm in Windsor Township, Huron County, between Pigeon and Bay Port, Bien when with his mother, Miss Salome Striffler, to her parental home near Cass City after the death of his father, WIlliam, in 1895. John Striffler, well known Elkland Township farmer, was his maternal grandfather. Bien worked in the vicinity of Cass City after he was graduated until the fall of 1914 when he entered Battle Creek College affiliated with Battle Creek Sanitarium, but was forced to give up his physical culture course because of a football injury. He transferred to Western Michigan College where he finished in 1916. He was principal of the Michigan School for the Blind from 1917 to 1922.

In 1937, he re-entered state employment. serving four years as procurement supervisor for the State Highway Department. In 1941, he was transferred to the State Administrative Board as assistant to the secretary and sided in the organization of the Purchasing Division under civil service. He became deputy director in 1946."

His obituary was published in the Cass City Chronicle on Thursday, December 14, 1967, page 6.

Former area man dies downstate

J. Stanley Bien of 225 Strathmore, Lansing, died Tuesday, Dec. 5, in a Lansing hospital. He was born near Cass City and lived in the area until after he graduated from Cass City High School.

Bien had completed 46 years of service with the State of Michigan. At the time of his retirement in 1953 he was state purchashing director. Early in his career he was principal of the Michigan School for the Blind.

He was active in church and community affairs as a member of the Central Methodist church and the Men's Club, Capital Lodge S. O. No. 66 F&AM, and the Hi-Twelve Club, all of Lansing.

Mr. Bien was the first recipient of hte Homer Hauger award in 1956 from the National Association of Purchasing Agents for outstanding contributions to the purchasing profession. He was past president of the Central Michigan Purchasing association and of the National Association of Purchasing Agents.

Surviving are his wife, Ruth M. of Lansing; two daughters, Mrs. Robert Block of Lansing and Mrs. Emerson W. Peet of Atlanta, and six grandchildren.

Services were ehld at the Estes-Deadley Colonial Chapel at 2:30 p.m. Friday, December 8, with burial in Deepdale Memorial Park.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, Summer 2007)


(Research):
Census Listings:

1920 Census
Michigan, Ingham County, Lansing, School for the Blind
Enumerated 21 Jan 1920
SD 5 ED 97 Sheet 21 A Ward 4 Stamped 21

Bien, J. Stanley Principal M W 27 M Mich Canada Eng Mich Principal Teacher
Bien, Ruth Wife F W 26 M Un Un England English England English England English Teacher
Bien, Ruth Jane Dtr F W ?? S Mich Mich England

1930 Census
Michigan, Ingham, Lansing City, Ward 7, 4th precinct
Enumerated April 9, 1930
ED 33-47 SD 12/13 Sheets 9B and 10A Stamped 233
Shiawasee Street
837-146-202
Bien, J. Stanley Hd R$35 M W 37 M@23 Mich Mich Mich Selecting Manager Wholesale Paper
Bien, Ruth R Wf F W 36 M@22 England England England/English
Bien, Ruth Jane Dtr F W 11 S Mich Mich England
Bien, Sally Ann Dtr F W 3 2/12 Mich Mich England

John married Ruth ??? on 20 Jan 1917. Ruth was born about 1894 in England, United Kingdom; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Volume 27 of the STRIFFLER-BENKELMAN BROADCAST, dated September 4, 1967, reported that Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Bien of Lansing, Michigan, marked 50 years of marriage January 20, 1967, and had planned to celebrate the occasion with an open house in the Central Methodist Church when scool would be out and their children and grandchildren would be able to be with them. Since Stanley was ill as a result of an auto accident, the affair was cancelled. However, they were guests of honor at a dinner given by their church. Their children are Mrs. Robert Bock of of Lansing and Mrs. Emerson Peet of Atlanta, Georgia. The Peet family viisted their parents in June.

Notes:

Lorraine Smith Benkelman excerpted the following letters between William H. Bien and George Albert Striffler. These letters were written in the late 1880's who was looking for work. Just a few years later William would marry George Albert's younger sister, Salome.

January 8, 1886 Whittemore, Michigan

So many men that they commenced discharging 5 or 6 every day. They cut wages from $26 to $18-$20. Finally we got work up on the Au Sable River. I got in 24 days and then they put the damper on my winter job, so I came on down to this god forsaken palce Whittemore and stuck a tree camp and scored ties for seven days then had the good luck to cut my foot a very bad cut. Dr. says it should be healed in three more weeks.

April 8, 1886 Oscoda, Michigan

Everything is kind'o dull here, but things will be booming if the good weather keeps up. there was quite a lawsuit here about some fellows breaking into a house of ill fame and destroyed almost everything. There were about 15 in the scrape and six of them were sent to Tawas county jail awaiting trial at circuit court. They were a hard looking crew, but the girls got the start of 'em.


July 25, 1886 Black River, Michigan

Never see the face of a woman here. Tell Will Striffler to write. Tell me who your sweet potato blossom was for the fourth. Write me back at Mr. Wards Camp at Black River, MI.

November 18, 1888 Baraga, Michigan

What are you doing in upper Michigan. Is it the homestead we spoke of?

December 23, 1888

Am working in a lumber camp for Thos. Nester co. and our foreman is one of your Cass City neighbors, Malcolm McEachin. Certainly you must know him, his folks live in the scotch settlement and he knows you folks. Wages are $26 to $30, so if you come you are sure of $26.

Mary Hicks, a grand niece of William Bien's ex-daughter-in-law, Helena Shaneyfelt Bien, emailed in July, 2010 that the "Bien / Biehn / Bean family was Mennonite. William H. Bien's father was David G. Bean in Ontario, and he was the son of Abraham Bean (Bien, Biehn) and Susannah Graybill (Grebiel). Abraham was born in Doon, Ontario, Canada, and Susannah was born in Druemore, Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania. "

William married Salome Striffler on 25 Nov 1891 in Kilmanagh, Huron County, Michigan. Salome (daughter of John "Uncle John" Striffler and Anna Maria "Mary" Benkelman) was born on 19 Sep 1866 in Elkland Township, Tuscola County, Michigan; died on 26 Jan 1922 in Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan; was buried in Elkland Township Cemetery, Cass City, Tuscola County, Michigan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Lorraine Smith Benkelman transcribed the following letters from Salome to her brother, George Albert

May 11, 1888

The men have been working near the river these two weeks, when the weather was so they could plow. Today they were sowing oats. Pete Burg helped mother with the garden. I let the deer out one evening and he ran around the house in the orchard and garden and tracked the garden all up. We got him back in. The report around is that Adam Benkelman was coming home. We were so glad to think they were going to be here again, then we were disappointed to hear it was only Minnie Burg's talk. It seems odd to not see you, with a book under your arm or in the morning see you come from upstairs. Mother wants to know how far it is from church, are are there any girls in your neighborhood?

Your fat sister, "Baby Elephant Jumbo", Salome

June 6, 1888

I am staying at the Muck's for three weeks now. Anna Peterson is dead. She had a tumor and died under an operation. I heard that Adam Benkelman was expected home any day, but will not be sure until I hear that Minnie Burg did not make it up. The population of Cass City has increased since you left. Adam Muck has a girl, Del Landon a girl, Duncan Graham and Alex McKenzie both boys.


July 31, 1888

What are you doing there? Are you going to stay there. What do you eat anyhow? is Mrs. W. Weydemeyer working where you board? Berries and huckleberries are scarce this year. The Enterprise says "Two women to eveyr raspberry." Lucy Meier was here begging for the new church in Fremont. Did you hear from Will Bien yet, since you are up there? He gets $28 a month. How much are you getting. David said you should come home and cut his hair.

October 10, 1888

folks making syrup again. Mother and Mattie are helping in the sugar house and I am doing the housework. Charlie Yous is working for us again this fall. Johnnie Zinnecker hired out to Pa for a month, he may stay and go to school this winter. Dora Schenck has engaged to teach the Walmsley school. Walter Gamble and Lissie Ale are teaching the CC school. Mrs. John Doying died last Monday. Ada's funeral was yesterday. Peter Dodge is married to Sam's stepdaughter, got license in Caro at 8 pm, thene married at 2 am, lots of talk. Archie's father is married again to Albert Scarr's widow. Adam Muck has a girl, Del Landon a girl, Duncan Graham has a boy, Alex McKenzie a boy.


November 9, 1888

You mentioned going West, how far, Wisconisn or further? Mattie and I sent for the Normal course books. Mrs. Wunderlich organized the class. We younger folks have clubbed together and bought a book for the minister, "the Beautiful story and Gold gems of religious thoughts." Got is from James Waldon, the fellow who's feet got frozen. He is a book agency, walks with crutches.

November 29, 1888

Today is Sam and Mary's wedding day. Rev. N. Wienderlich performs the ceremony. I was not invited. Did you know Mr. Champion died last week. Archie has no hired man at present. Elmer Eastman was working for him but he is gone. Johnnie Zinnecker is going to work for his board this winter and go to school. George Zinnecker is a worker here now. Jake Striffler and family have gone to New York on a visit. Mrs. Waldon has a pair of artificial feet.


Cass City Chronicle
August 15, 1919
The Week's Doing, Page Eight

Mrs. Salome Bien left Monday for a short visit at the home of her son, Stanley Bien, at Lansing.

Cass City Chronicle
February 3, 1922
Page One

Deaths of the Week

Mrs. Salome Bien

The Evangelical church was crowded Sunday afternoon by relatives and friends who came to attend the funeral of Mrs. Salome Bien whose death occurred at her home in Lansing last Thursday. Rev. F. L. Pohly conducted the services and interment was made in Elkland cemetery.

Salome Striffler was born Sept. 19, 1866, on the parental farm near Cass City. She was united in marriage with Wm. Bien in Kilmanagh, Mich., Nov. 25, 1891. This happy union was of short duration, for Mr. Bien preceded his wife in death 26 years ago. Three sons came to bless the home for whom their mother toiled and sacrificed these many years to make possible their education and welfare and whose privilege it became, in these later days, for them to reciprocate their love and devotion in caring for her.

For the past few years, Mrs. Bien has suffered greatly from cancerous trouble but in it all manifested a most patient and hopeful spirit. All that medical skill and kind hands could do could not overpower her affliction. On Jan. 26, 1922, she peacefully passed away at Lansing, Mich., at the age of 55 years. Mrs. Bien gave her heart to God in her youth and united with the Cass City Evangelical church of which she remained a member.

She leaves to mourn her departure three devoted sons, Stanley of Lansing, Paul of Detroit, and William, a student at the U. of M. at Ann Arbor, an aged father, John Striffler of Cass City, two brothers, G.A. Striffler of Cass City and David Striffler of Columbus, Ga., three sisters, Mrs. Archie Mark, Miss Martha Striffler and Mrs. W.R. Kaiser, all of Cass City, besides a host of other relatives and friends.

(Transcribed by Melinda McLemore Strong, March 2008)

(Research):Census Infomation:

1900 Census, Michigan, Tuscola, Elkland, ED 110
Enumerated the 12th of June, 1900 by John Marshall
SD 8, ED 110, Sheet 6 B
126 126
Striffler, John Hd W M March 1833 67 M 41 NY France France Farmer
Striffler, Mary Wife W F May 1839 61 M 41 7/6 Germany Germany Germany 1856
Striffler, Martha Dtr W F Nov 1871 28 S Michigan NY Germany
Striffler, Ester Dtr W F May 1878 22 S Michigan NY Germany
Striffler, David A. W M Aug 1883 16 S Michigan NY Germany Farm Laborer
Bean, Saloma Dtr W F Sep 1866 22 Ed 3/3 Michigan NY Germany
Bean, Stanley G.Son W M Dec 1892 7 S Michigan Michigan Germany
Bean, Paul P. G. Son W M May 1894 6 S Michigan Michigan Germany
Bean, William D. G. Son W M Dec 1895 4 S Michigan Michigan Germany


1910 Census
Michigan, Tuscola County, Elkland Township, Cass City Village
Enumerated 21 Apr 1910
SD 8 ED 113 Sheet 4A Stamped 135
95-95
Bien, Salome Hd F W 43 Ed 3/3 Mich NY Germany Own Income
Bien, John C Son M W 17 S Mich Canada/English Mich
Bien, Paul P Son M W 15 S Mich Canada/English Mich
Bien, William D Son M W 14 S Mich Canada/English Mich